Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on the 22nd said, "Business groups have clammed up after President Lee Jae-myung took aim on social media," adding, "They seem to have chosen strategic silence for fear of blowback."
In a post on social media that day titled "fear society," Oh said this was "a very dangerous cross-section of a 'fear society.'"
As grounds, Oh cited materials released by People Power Party lawmaker Koo Ja-geun. According to them, KORCHAM distributed a total of nine press releases in the first quarter of this year. That is less than one-third of the same period last year (29). During the same period, the Korea Enterprises Federation (KEF) and The Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) issued 12 and 19 press releases, respectively. Compared with last year, KEF was down by half and FKI by 24%.
Oh said, "Speaking up for the business community and corporations to criticize government policy and offer alternatives is the core social role of business groups," adding, "It is by no means normal for them to forgo that role and remain silent."
He went on, "The party responsible for creating this abnormal situation is President Lee Jae-myung," adding, "In February, the president called materials released by KORCHAM fake news and began targeting them, and the competent ministry, as if pledging loyalty, launched an intensive audit."
Oh said, "In the end, four executives, including the executive vice chairman, were dismissed," adding, "At a single social media broadside from the president, the group shut its mouth and even personnel actions followed."
He continued, "Other business groups also seem to have chosen strategic silence for fear of blowback," calling it "a very dangerous cross-section of a 'fear society.'"
Oh also said, "A Seoul mayor who lies flat before presidential power is highly likely to force the same silence on 10 million citizens," adding, "A Seoul mayor who cannot lodge even a single objection to indiscriminate lending regulations and tax bombs is truly dangerous."
He went on, "I want to protect a Korea where the media, corporations, civil society, religious circles and experts can raise their voices freely without reading the room, without being cowed and without fearing disadvantages," adding, "I believe the heart that protects such a Korea is precisely Seoul. Protect Seoul to protect Korea."